Overview

In this clever riff on Aesop, Poppy feels guilty when he accidentally drives over Snake, and he decides to risk being bitten in order to free the sassy reptile. But smake wants more. This is a sly tale about who gets the last laugh.

We, the creators of Who's Got Game? were inspired by the wonder of Aesop's Fables  their vitality, their endless demand for more interpretations. In our versions the original stories are opened up and their moralisitic endings reimagined; the victim might not lose; the timid gets a chance to become strong; the fool can gain insight; the powerful may lose their grip. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. More than a play on these beloved fables, Who's Got Game? is AESOP LIVE!

Product Details

About the Author

Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize–winning American author, editor, and professor. Her contributions to the modern canon are numerous. Some of her acclaimed titles include: The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature 1993.

Slade Morrison was born in Ohio and educated in New York City. He studied art at SUNY Purchase and collaborated with his mother, Toni Morrison, on five books for children.

Hometown:

Princeton, New Jersey, and Manhattan

Date of Birth:

February 18, 1931

Place of Birth:

Lorain, Ohio

Education:

Howard University, B.A. in English, 1953; Cornell, M.A., 1955

Read an Excerpt

Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize–winning American author, editor, and professor. Her contributions to the modern canon are numerous. Some of her acclaimed titles include: The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature 1993.

Slade Morrison was born in Ohio and educated in New York City. He studied art at SUNY Purchase and collaborated with his mother, Toni Morrison, on five books for children.

First Chapter

Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize–winning American author, editor, and professor. Her contributions to the modern canon are numerous. Some of her acclaimed titles include: The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature 1993.

Slade Morrison was born in Ohio and educated in New York City. He studied art at SUNY Purchase and collaborated with his mother, Toni Morrison, on five books for children.

Table of Contents

Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize–winning American author, editor, and professor. Her contributions to the modern canon are numerous. Some of her acclaimed titles include: The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature 1993.

Slade Morrison was born in Ohio and educated in New York City. He studied art at SUNY Purchase and collaborated with his mother, Toni Morrison, on five books for children.

Reading Group Guide

Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize–winning American author, editor, and professor. Her contributions to the modern canon are numerous. Some of her acclaimed titles include: The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature 1993.

Slade Morrison was born in Ohio and educated in New York City. He studied art at SUNY Purchase and collaborated with his mother, Toni Morrison, on five books for children.

Interviews

Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize–winning American author, editor, and professor. Her contributions to the modern canon are numerous. Some of her acclaimed titles include: The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature 1993.

Slade Morrison was born in Ohio and educated in New York City. He studied art at SUNY Purchase and collaborated with his mother, Toni Morrison, on five books for children.

Recipe

Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize–winning American author, editor, and professor. Her contributions to the modern canon are numerous. Some of her acclaimed titles include: The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature 1993.

Slade Morrison was born in Ohio and educated in New York City. He studied art at SUNY Purchase and collaborated with his mother, Toni Morrison, on five books for children.

Editorial Reviews

A smattering of picture books contribute to existing series. Mother and son collaborators Toni and Slade Morrison bring forth another modern take on an Aesop fable in Who's Got Game? Poppy or the Snake, illus. by Pascal Lemaetre. Poppy tells his grandson the tale of a "sass-mouthed" snake who he accidentally ran over with his truck years ago. The snake convinces Poppy to take him home for a while ("You mean to tell me you not going to take me home and give me something to eat?"). This reworking puts the focus on the value of being careful and aware. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Toni Morrison and her son, Slade, are retelling a series of Aesop's fables. Their third and most recent is Who's Got Game? Poppy or the Snake? The book begins as a young boy tells his grandfather, Poppy, how he can't pay attention in school. Poppy relates the story of how he saved a snake from death after nearly killing it, escaped death from the ungrateful snake's poison by paying attention, and got himself a new pair of "remembering boots" of the "softest, shiniest snakeskin." The book is a combination of straight narration and comic-book graphic-style expression brought to life by the snake's lively, dramatic dialogue. The snake, full of attitude, defends his position: "You gonna blame me for having poison fangs? I ain't got no hands to fight with, like you do. And if you look close you'll see I don't got no wings to fly away on." It is the snake's voice which turns a potentially preachy tale into a funny, morality story. 2003, Simon and Schuster, Ages 5 up. Susie Wilde

Children's Literature

This third entry in a series of picture books based on Aesop's fables and done with an updated, African American flare (following Who's Got Game? The Ant or the Grasshopper? and Who's Got Game? The Lion or the Mouse) uses the considerable talents of the mother-son Morrison team as well as illustrator Lemaitre. It is visually pleasing, contains ear-catching dialogue, and undeniably cool qualities that should appeal to all ages. In the original tale, a snake kills a farmer's son, and the farmer tries to kill the snake, but he succeeds only in cutting off his tail. With both of them having such overt reminders of their losses, they can never again live in peace. In the Morrisons' treatment, however, the kind but cagey Poppy accidentally parks his pickup on top of the snake. He feels so guilty about having done so that he agrees to help the poor beast and nurses him back to health. The snake accepts the kindness from Poppy as he heals, but he never does get over his injury. This version has a charming surprise ending that is quite different from the original and should please readers of all ages. The book is filled with delightful illustrations with lots of details, from armadillos and coyotes out in the Bayou to street musicians in town. The author-illustrator team brings freshness and a touch of cool, helping to bring Aesop into the new millennium. VOYA Codes 4Q 3P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Scribner/S & S, 40p.; Illus., Ages 11 to 18. Tim Brennan

VOYA

Morrison and son continue their retelling of Aesop's fables. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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